Folks, AES Crypt for Linux now supports use of "key files". Basically, these are files that hold your password and can be used like this: tar -cvf - /home | aescrypt -e -k secret.key - >backup_files.tar.aes To create a key file, just open Windows' notepad and create a one-line text file with your password inside and save it as "Unicode" or use the new utility provided as part of the aescrypt package: aescrypt_keygen -p apples secret.key This was a much-requested feature and one that I personally needed. So, here it is! Paul